Bandits Impose Levies On Niger Communities

Five villagers have been killed, more than 18 abducted, and houses, vehicles and a market set ablaze by bandits in Fanga village, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, for refusing to pay levies imposed on farming communities ahead of the harvest season.

LEADERSHIP findings revealed that the bandits, who have established camps in Mashegu, Mariga and parts of Borgu local government areas, usually demand levies of at least N5 million from communities before allowing farmers to access their farms to harvest their crops.

A community member, Mohammed Aliyu, who spoke about their ordeal at the hands of the bandits, said the group usually sent formal letters to village heads demanding payment.

He said the bandits launched a deadly attack on Fanga village because the residents failed to respond to their demand for payment.

Another villager, who identified himself as Umar Tanle, said the bandits had taken over his village, Tanle, and attacked Fanga with about 100 men riding on 50 motorcycles.

“They have taken over my village, Tanle, and they attacked Fanga. There were about 100 of them on 50 motorcycles when they attacked the village. They vowed to deal with any community that refuses to pay the levy,” he said.

He confirmed that five people had been killed and more than 18 others abducted, adding that the bandits set fire to buildings and vehicles, including the village market where foodstuffs were sold.

He said the attack occurred late on Tuesday, with the bandits shooting indiscriminately.

“I can confirm to you that they came purposely to punish the people of Fanga village because, on five occasions, they sent messages to the village requesting payment of the levies they usually impose on local communities in our area, but the people of Fanga were unable to pay,” he said.

He added that most of those killed were men, while the abducted victims were mainly women and children.

“Some of us left Tanle village, where they established their camp. They repeatedly demanded levies and attacked villages that refused to pay,” he added.

Findings revealed that many residents had fled the affected communities and abandoned their farms, seeking refuge with relatives in neighbouring towns.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State, SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to enquiries about the levies imposed on communities and the attack on Fanga village in the Mashegu Local Government Area at the time of filing this report.